“The Comte’s alibi is still unshaken.”

“But that is nonsense.”

“Yes,” said Poirot; “I rather think it is nonsense, but unfortunately we have to prove it so.”

“In the meantime he will slip through your fingers.”

Poirot shook his head very energetically.

“No,” he said, “he will not do that. The one thing the Comte cannot afford to sacrifice is his social position. At all costs he must stop and brazen it out.”

Van Aldin was still dissatisfied.

“But I don’t see⁠—”

Poirot raised a hand. “Grant me a little moment, Monsieur. Me, I have a little idea. Many people have mocked themselves at the little ideas of Hercule Poirot⁠—and they have been wrong.”